People will have an automatic right to buy back partial equity release, currently not always available to pensioners who have effectively sold a portion of their home to a financial operation.
Properties for sale will have to include a full disclosure of defects to buyers; sellers may be liable to fines if proven to be suppressing such knowledge. Sellers may also be entitled to compensation if they had bought the property with the defect unknowingly. This will improve the state of housing stock and help people stuck in properties to move on.
European housing frequently features shutters; traditionally wooden but increasingly the metal roller type. These are rare in the U.K. as many window designs open outwards. Measures will be investigated to remedy this, allowing the wider use of shutters to cut heating costs and reduce energy use and associated carbon emissions. There will be an added bonus in terms of domestic security. There will be a VAT holiday for materials and installation costs.
New legislation will be brought in to tackle leasehold and freehold scams.
Unproductive properties to be taxed progressively; and retrogressively in due course. Tax rules will be amended to end the practice of land banking, the worst offenders will be offered “encouragement” to re-build in run-down areas of our post-industrial cities. Many of these have a great number of empty and decaying properties. National and local government will support and simplify regeneration in the worst areas; including adding social infrastructure. This will create employment, raise property prices (ensuring our house building friends still turn a profit) and turn sink estates into desirable places to live, work and play.
The Post Office will provide free P.O. boxes for the homeless, not having a post address causes significant problems for them.